Democrats challenge fake recall candidates in Wisconsin

Apr. 13, 2012

Written by

Mary Spicuzza

Wisconsin State Journal

MADISON — Democrats asked state elections officials on Thursday to block six Republicans trying to run as Democrats from the ballots for this spring's recall elections.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin attorney Jeremy Levinson filed Thursday's complaint against the Republican Party of Wisconsin and the six people it recruited to run as fake Democrats, or so-called "protest candidates."

The complaint, filed with the state Government Accountability Board, said the GOP and fake Democrats — Gladys Huber, Isaac Weix, Gary Ellerman, Tamra Varebrook, James Engel and James Buckley — gave false information on documents submitted to elections officials.

"The respondents falsified information on these documents, asserting that the six phony primary candidates were 'affiliated' with and 'represent' the Democratic Party," the complaint reads.

The complaint also accused the GOP and fake Democrats of disenfranchising voters and making an "overt and blatant effort to manipulate the upcoming elections to protect and advantage the Republican incumbents facing recall."

And it said all six should be found "ineligible for placement on the ballot."

Ellerman, Varebrook, Engel and Buckley filed to run as Democrats in the recalls targeting Republican state Sens. Scott Fitzgerald, Van Wanggaard, Terry Moulton and Pam Galloway, who retired amid the recall effort. Huber and Weix filed to run as Democrats in an effort to fight the recalls of Republican Gov. Scott Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.

State GOP spokesman Ben Sparks said he was not worried about the complaint, noting that Republicans were able to run as Democrats in last year's recall elections.

"The complaint filed today by attorney Jeremy Levinson is nothing more than a publicity stunt," he said.

He said he was confident that candidates would be on the May 8 primary recall ballots, saying it would ensure clear primary and general election dates of May 8, and June 5, for all candidates.

Democrats argue if that was the Republicans' goal, they could run the fake Democrats in the GOP primary instead.

The GAB has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday morning to consider challenges to candidates and certify who will be on the ballot for the primary election.

Two people were killed and nearly 50 bicyclists and pedestrians were injured last year in crashes in Appleton. As more bicyclists and walkers hit the road in the warm weather, Appleton police plan to combat risks by stationing officers at problem spots.